Treasures of Shaanxi

Treasures of Shaanxi

Shaanxi gave birth to 13 major Chinese dynasties. From its bosom came the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang states. The latter dynasty, the Tang, is considered to be China's Golden Age. In fact, many of the dynasties forged along the banks of the Yellow River in Shaanxi created long-lasting cultural trends that still define China to this day.

For a taste of this central province's rich past, consider first hitting the Shaanxi History Museum. Once you've steeped yourself in its chronology, local "must-see" desinations like Xian's Drum Towers, Muslim Quarter, and Great Goose Pagodas will make much more sense. So, too, will the awe-inspiring army of terra-cotta warriors at the tomb of China's first emperor. True fans of history can even make the trip to China's own "Valley of the Kings" near Xianyang.